Health, Wellness & Prevention
MENTAL WELLBEING
The mental health of our students is of the utmost importance to our team. AB 2022 added Education Code section 49428 which required school districts and charter schools to provide students and their parents/guardians with information at least twice per school year regarding how to access student mental health services on campus and/or in the community. UDA employs a Wellness Coordinator and contracts with external School Psychologists to help ensure students’ mental health needs are met and to provide support for our staff who are trained in identifying at-risk behaviors. To obtain mental health services on campus and/or in the community please contact either the Principal or Wellness Coordinator.
SUICIDE PREVENTION
UDA Staff members and students grades 7-12 receive education on suicide prevention and mental wellness in compliance with Education Code § 215. Whenever a staff member suspects or has knowledge of a student's suicidal intentions, the staff member will notify the School Principal, who will work with our wellness team to assess the situation and notify the student's parents/guardians. When a suicide attempt or threat is reported, the School will ensure the student’s physical safety by one of the following, as appropriate:
- Securing immediate medical treatment if a suicide attempt has occurred;
- Securing Psychological Emergency Response Team (PERT), law enforcement and/or other emergency assistance if a suicidal act is being actively threatened;
- Keeping the student under continuous adult supervision until the parent/guardian and/or appropriate support agent or agency can be contacted and has the opportunity to intervene.
The team will decide the most appropriate course of action for any relevant situation by assessing the students’ mental wellness, whether the student has an actual plan for suicide as well as the means to carry out the plan, and other factors.
CALIFORNIA HEALTHY YOUTH ACT (Grades 7-12)
The California Healthy Youth Act (CHYA), Education Code (EC) sections 51930-51939, defines comprehensive sexual health and HIV prevention education for grades 7 - 12. The law requires that both comprehensive sexual health and HIV prevention education are taught once in middle school and once in high school. The statute has five primary purposes:
- To provide pupils with the knowledge and skills necessary to protect their sexual and reproductive health from HIV and other sexually transmitted infections and from unintended pregnancy;
- To provide pupils with the knowledge and skills they need to develop healthy attitudes concerning adolescent growth and development, body image, gender, sexual orientation, relationships, marriage, and family;
- To promote understanding of sexuality as a normal part of human development;
- To ensure pupils receive integrated, comprehensive, accurate, and unbiased sexual health and HIV prevention instruction and provide educators with clear tools and guidance to accomplish that end;
- To provide pupils with the knowledge and skills necessary to have healthy, positive, and safe relationships and behaviors
Parents that have concerns about our adoption of the CHYA should talk with the School Principal about alternative options.
HUMAN TRAFFICKING PREVENTION (Grades 6-12)
To address the threat that human trafficking represents to our children and community, California Education Code Section 49381 established that resources should be provided to families with students in grades 6-12.
In addition to this topic being addressed as part of our adoption of the CHYA program, we have established online resources for families:
- 15 Ways You Can Help Fight Human Trafficking, United States Department of State
- How to Help Stop Child Trafficking, UNICEF USA
- Safety Planning Information (includes internet searching, social media, traveling and other security measures), National Human Trafficking Hotline
- National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking, United States Department of Justice
- End Human Trafficking, United Way Worldwide
Parents that have concerns about this topic should talk with the School Principal.
MENSTRUAL EQUITY ACT
Our students deserve to have menstrual products plentifully available at all times, because... period emergencies happen. On October 8, 2021, Governor Newsom signed AB-367, requiring California public schools and colleges to stock their restrooms with free menstrual products. The Menstrual Equity for All Act of 2021 requires public schools with grades 6 through 12 to stock all school restrooms with an adequate and free supply of menstrual products in the women’s and all-gender restrooms, and at least in one men’s restroom. Our school has always provided free menstrual products to our students and will continue to do so. We have added a sign in the bathrooms now so that students know who to contact if the supply runs out before our staff notices.
HEALTH AND WELLBEING COMMUNITY RESOURECES
UDA has a list of community resources to support families with information on community resources to support mental health and wellbeing. Please consult your pediatrician or family doctor for resources that are associated with your healthcare system. This listing is not an endorsement of services, rather it is a listing that of known providers. You can find our list of resources here.
NALOXONE STANDING ORDER
The purpose of this standing order is to help reduce morbidity and mortality associated with opioid overdose by facilitating the distribution and administration of Naloxone Hydrochloride (Naloxone). Naloxone is an opioid antagonist indicated for the complete or partial reversal of opioid overdoes, including respiratory depression, induced by natural and synthetic opioids. Urban Discovery Schools requested and was issued this Standing Order as part of our application to have Naloxone at each school site in support of emergency on site services for our learning community.
SAFE SCHOOL UPDATES
Urban Discovery Schools are Committed to the safety and health of every student, educator, staff member and family within our community. Stay apprised of our current COVID-19 policies, learn about our approach, available learning formats and more by reviewing our Safe School Plan here.
BP 5030
STUDENT WELLNESS
STUDENT WELLNESS